It's easy to forget just how good he was when he set his mind to it. Mostly because he didn't set his mind to it very often.
I'm going off of how I feel about Martell and what we are going to see out of him this year. I think some of us might be blown away with the play he brings. I think he is ready. If that is the case. Nic is going to have to be awfully good. And right now, I don't think he is ready or there yet to do that. But hey, I could be wrong.
I'd site the multiple knee injuries/surgeries he endured as the main detriment to his career... I believe he's had 5-6 major knee operations. That particular game his J was on. If guys have to play up on a guy with a solid handle and finishing ability, big scoring nights will happen. STOMP
He was notoriously inconsistent long before he had any reason to blame his knee for not playing hard. If his knees were perfect, we'd be saying, "Dang, Darius could be one of the best if he'd just put some consistent effort into his game, even though he is kind of a jerk..."
no thats what you'd be saying, collectively I'm pretty sure opinions would vary. I'd have to see how he played sans multiple injuries/surgeries before I'd weigh in. rehabbing from one serious knee injury takes a ton of arduous work. It's not like anyone just rolls out of bed to play NBA hoops a few months after blowing out both knees like DM did while with the Cavs. He may not have had the greatest work ethic in the history of the game, but to assert he didn't "put some consistent effort into his game" is silly conjecture. STOMP
I am a Martell optimist but realistically, Martell, other than a few glimpses of good play (which we also got from Darius and others), has not consistently done anything to warrant having him making us "stacked". I really liked what I saw in the one pre-season game he played last year but that has to be taken with a serious grain of salt as it was both pre-season and the Kings. As I mention, I am a Martell optimist and I hope he does give Batum a serious for starting SF but based on actual play, I'd take Batum any day and twice when defense is really needed. Gramps...
When I was watching Batum play point in some of those game it gave me chills. If that dude gets a handle going, watch out.
